A Serialized Novel about the Great Velian War

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Personnel Interviews

Well, the inspection had gone well. And now time for the personnel interviews. Which probably wouldn’t go well. Fuck. Well, Callahan was first because alphabetical order. The best way to do things. Plus that put Tiscornia last which would at least be a more pleasant interview.

Callahan sat down across from Evans, “Sergeant. Is it personnel interviews time again?”

“Yes it is Lance. So, how do you think…” Evans sighed, “OK, what do you think of the whole McGilligan situation?”

“Ugh, I hate all this drama,” Callahan leaned back in the chair, “I mean, I really can’t judge. She’s pretty fine. If she wasn’t such a bore I’d probably take her out and give her a green grass gown.”

Evans put down his pen, “You remember that these are official interviews, right? Please don’t… have relations with your squadmates.”

“Well, McGilligan is incredibly boring, Johnson and Howe won’t do that, and Shep’s engaged. So I’ve been hunting elsewhere.”

“OK, any other thoughts about it that aren’t… Innapropriate?”

“She seems to be a good soldier. Was near her at Third Tsiv. She fought well, commanded her fire team well. I don’t see why her making hay with a man makes her a bad soldier. If those idiots think that she’s a whore, then fuck ‘em.”

“All right then,” Evans went over the rest of the interview and then had Callahan send in Howe.

“Good Day Sergeant. I hope I didn’t do anything wrong,” Howe laughed.

“No Howe, nothing wrong, just standard personnel interviews,” Evans pulled the cap off his pen, fiddled with the papers, then looked back at Howe, “So, what do you think about the unit?”

“Well, Corporal Johnson seems trustworthy. She’s been giving me advice on marksmanship. Nivelle is lovely. I can’t trust McGilligan. She’d probably be on the prowl for men right now if she weren’t on duty. And of course I’m glad to be under your command Sergeant. You saved my life.”

“Very Well Private,” After the next few questions, Evans had Howe send Corporal Johnson in.

“Sergeant.”

“Corporal. Have a seat.”

“Yes Sergeant. This is the personnel interviews?”

“Yes. So. Let’s just get straight down to it. What do you think about how the squad’s been doing?”

“I think we know how I feel about this Sergeant. But, since you will not back down, we can talk about the others. Ollie is a good spotter, during our training, very quick with the math. Howe seems promising. I have been working with her on marksmanship and she’s been doing very well.” The rest of the interview was surprisingly pleasant. And once it was over, Evans had Johnson send Madison in.

“Sergeant Evans. I heard we are doing interviews.”

“Yes Private Madison. So, first question, what do you think of the squad?”

“It’s a good group Sergeant. They might have their squabbles now, but once they get over it, they’ll be stronger for it. Personally, I like McGilligan. She’s a smart woman and I like talking to her.”

The interview after Madison was McGilligan. She looked sad. Unsurprisingly. “Lance. What do you think about the state of the squad?”

“I’m going to ignore it and do my job.”

The interview was quick. McGilligan wasn’t interested in talking. Madison was waiting for her when she left to get Nivelle.